6 Reasons to Choose a Customizable POS System

For retailers to remain competitive in today’s marketplace, they need to be more efficient than ever. This takes solving the problems that cause the most errors and affect productivity. Otherwise, a lack of fine-tuning their operations will eventually reduce profitability.

Why Select a Customizable POS System?

The retail industry varies from the type of products to their pricing. To fill this range of possibilities, “off the shelf” software comes in a variety of packages and offerings. Many of these packages are perfect for a small retailer, especially one with only a single location. The problem with “off the shelf” software that many larger retailers experience is a lack of features to support their growing needs.

Software development and customization may seem like the more expensive option, but that’s not necessarily true. Here are 6 reasons why retailers with multiple locations and complex transactions need a customizable POS system to reduce costs and increase profitability.

1. Multiple Platforms

Legacy software is often difficult to part with. But keeping it can lead to bigger headaches and greater inefficiencies in the system. This software is never flexible or robust enough to grow or change with a business. You’re always using other applications to compensate for the lack of functionality.

The inability to transfer data between systems is another problem for multiple software platforms working solely on specific areas of the business. Errors will most likely occur during data entry, which also makes employees less productive.

2. Unsupported Sales Process

Most “off the shelf” point of sale software doesn’t support the entire sales process. This is true for more complex transactions that need to work seamlessly with accounting functions and customer resource management.

3. Manual Workarounds

Manual workarounds can be lifesavers, but they are a temporary fix, like a Band Aid. Workarounds are unproductive because they require multiple steps to complete a single task. More steps equal more time away from other tasks. You know you have a problem when you have developed too many manual workarounds.

4. Lack of Automation

Setting reminders to do important tasks doesn’t always work, especially if they are required to be done on a daily basis. People make mistakes, but software very rarely does. Some tasks should be automated to prevent mistakes and loss or revenue. Implementing automated tasks can give you the peace of mind that they are being done and on time.

5. Not Scalable

As retail stores grow, so do their need for more SKUs, more space, even locations. Again, legacy systems and “off the shelf” software lack the flexibility to compensate for any growth, which may delay plans for further expansion of the company.

6. Data Analysis and Metrics

“Off the shelf” software lacks many of the sales analytics necessary to understand what customers want and when they want it. These software packages also struggle migrating or merging data with other systems. More time and effort is required to get the right data and metrics in a timely manner.

Gaining Efficiencies and Supporting Growth

If the one size fits all model doesn’t work for your company, then it’s time to consider how a customizable POS system will work. The best part of this is that it might not be as expensive as you may think. “Off the shelf” software is cheaper, but in the long run it may end up costing you money and prevent you from growing your business. Software that can be customized to your business needs will overcome any roadblocks to growth while gaining efficiencies in your employees’ workflow.